UO Interviews: Jessica Comingore

Jan 19, 2017
Sheewa Salehi

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This month we’re excited to team up with Satsuki Shibuya — Painter, Artist and Spiritual Thinker — on a curated marketplace and discussion panel on setting intentions for the new year. Leading up to the event on January 19th, here at Space 15 Twenty, we visited each of the makers + panel speakers to learn a little bit more about them.

Get to know Jessica Comingore – designer, art director, and founder of The Elysian Edit – a design, culture and lifestyle website dedicated to the art of refined living.

Can you introduce yourself please: tell us more about who you are, where you’re from, and what you do?

My name is Jessica Comingore and I am a graphic designer and art director living and working in Los Angeles, California. I spend my days running a boutique creative studio, offering services ranging from brand identity and art direction, to print and web design. I work predominantly with emerging and established lifestyle brands looking to create a visual identity and experience that authentically represents their business. I also run a design, culture and lifestyle website called The Elysian Edit where I share the people, places and practices that I find inspiring.

What led you into your creative career? Was it something you always knew you wanted to do, or did you stumble into it?

Design is definitely in my blood, and if I really look back to my childhood, the signs were there all along. When it came time to apply to colleges, I visited a few design schools, and it opened my eyes to the possibility to pursuing my creativity as a career path. I felt like I had finally found my tribe, so to speak, and since graduating, I’ve worked my way from interior design to graphic design, and have dabbled in many avenues in between. I think regardless of my path, design will always be at the core of what I do.

What are you working on right now: what projects are holding the most focus?

I am currently working on a long overdue portfolio update to share some of the work I’ve completed over the past two years. Outside of that, I am wrapping up a brand identity for a men’s clothing line, a lookbook for a renowned wedding photographer, and anxiously awaiting the opening of a restaurant I designed the packaging for last year. I feel very fortunate to work with (and be inspired by) clients who are forging their own unique paths in their industries.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love that technology has given me the opportunity to collaborate with people from all over the world while sitting at my desk. The people I’ve met — on and offline — by virtue of working in the creative sphere have made such a sizeable impact on the way I approach my work and life.

What are you looking forward to in 2017? What are some goals for yourself and your work?

I’m still easing into 2017, but overall just looking forward to seeing where the year takes me. I used to begin each January with a list of goals and ideas about what I wanted to accomplish, but I think it’s more important that you leave room for the unknown. I know I’d like to travel more this year, and be more intentional about the work I say yes to.

Tell us about what inspires you. How do you find new inspiration?

I find an abundance of inspiration in the women around me. Their strength, generosity and patience is far-reaching, and they continually remind me of what’s important in life, despite what others expectations may be.

Have you ever found yourself in a creative rut? If so, tell us how you managed to get out of it.

I think creative ruts are definitely a part of the process, and I’ve found that the more I resist them, the worse the results tend to be. I usually step away from what I’m working on to take a walk around my neighborhood — nature always has a way of clearing my head. Sometimes I’ll switch up my set-up as well, and take my laptop to a coffee shop as opposed to staying glued to my desk. A change of scenery tends to get my creative wheels spinning.

What's been the biggest turning point for you so far in your career?

About a year and a half ago, I hit a wall — personally and creatively — and had to step back to consider a.) what I wanted out of life, and b.) how to restructure my business in order to achieve that. It continues to be a process, but in paring down my offerings to focus solely on what I enjoy most, and integrating self care practices into my day, I’ve begun to see the benefits of living life at a slower pace. The journey has completely shifted my perspective around work, and what I hope to achieve through it.

How do you define success?

I would define success by living a life aligned with your values, and making the time to be good to yourself and those around you. If those things can be accomplished, the rest is just bonus.

You've learned a lot in the journey of your career. If you could share one piece of wisdom with aspiring creatives, what would it be?

Listen to your intuition — the answers you are looking for are always hidden within.

You can find Jessica here at Space 15 Twenty on Saturday January 21, 2017 from 1-5pm for the Satuski Shibuya Marketplace. Check out more details on the event using the link below.